[New York] On what is being forecast to be a wonderful weather day, Jovanotti, one of Italy’s most creative and engaging singer/songwriter/crooner/rapper’s will be taking center stage at the 25th Anniversary SummerStage concert in New York City’s Central Park. A free annual concert that draws thousands of music fans from the tri-state area. Several other international performers are also slated: Los Amigos Invisibles of Venezuela and Natalia Lafourcade of Mexico.

The music video I selected is called “Baciami Ancora” (Kiss Me Again), and to tell you the truth, I couldn’t find a single video that represents his eclectic style - because many of them are so different. The one thing that remains consistent in Jovanotti’s songs are the contagious passion that he exudes while performing. I highly recommend this event for those of you in the area. I myself am on the West Coast, so I will make a few additional selections of Jovanotti’s music for everyone else to enjoy. Spero che godere!

Date: Jul 31, 2010;
Time: 3:00 PM-7:00 PM
Dove: Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield

Directions
SummerStage is located right off the 5th Avenue and 72nd Street entrance to Central Park in New York City. Enter at 69th and 5th Avenue.

Admission and Seating Policy
Admission to all free performances (not benefit concerts) is on a first come, first-served basis, no tickets required. Depending on the show, chairs may or may not be placed on the field. Depending on the show, bleacher seating may or may not be available. E-mail info@summerstage.org for questions concerning specific shows.

When To Arrive
SummerStage Gates open 90 minutes prior to showtime on weekends and benefit concerts, 60 minutes prior to showtime on weekdays.

Weather
The show must go on! Shows will not be cancelled in the event of rain. Shows will be cancelled, however, in the event of lightning for the safety of the audience and the performers.

What NOT To Bring
Please respect the rules of the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation at Central Park SummerStage. Do not bring alcoholic beverages, bottles, coolers, pets, bicycles, video cameras, tape machines, or flash cameras to Central Park SummerStage. 

Musical Selection by Jenna Santini

For the past few years, Abbondanza! Magazine has been a huge advocate of the Vapiano brand. It offers a smart casual environment that is perfect for a gathering of friends, family or business colleagues. The menu is reasonably priced, diverse and most importantly offers freshly made Italian specialties. We’ve found Vapiano to be the perfect party and gathering space to show appreciation to our readers. In fact, we’ve had gatherings at more than a half dozen units both in the U.S. and abroad.

Throughout the next few days, we’ll be sending over a few stealth representatives to check it out. If we like what we see, it will only be a matter of time before we do this at the new Vapiano. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Report to follow. Over and Out.

Vapiano - Union Square
113 University Place, New York, NY, 10003 
Telephone: 212-777-9477
Facsimile: 212-777-9577 
Website: http://vapiano.com/

During the recent Fancy Food Show, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the staff behind the Porta Mangiare brand of authentic Italian food products. Porta Mangiare products proudly pay homage to their southern Italian roots. Roots which made their way to the United States in the 1800’s with the influx of immigrants from Italy. Among those Italian immigrants, was Nonna Giulia… the key to the culinary braintrust we now know as Porta Mangiare.

Over the course of a few days, several of us had the opportunity to sample the end-result of the Porta Mangiare Calabrese Meatball Mix. A product which is available in four varieties (traditional, spicy, turkey and gluten-free); all of which have proven to be deliciously authentic and easy to prepare.

Steve Lupinacci, Porta MangiareThese meatballs were not prepared as your traditional Italian-American baseball-sized meatballs, but more along the lines of golf ball-sized meatballs. Still a bit bigger than we are accustomed to in Puglia, but perfectly proportioned to serve out hundreds of samples to curious foodies during a gourmet food show. In any case, the Porta Mangiare meatballs prepared with their Calabrese Meatball Mix, proved to be light, succulent, tender, savory and delicious. Five characteristics that we all strive for when preparing our own meatballs.

There can be no doubt that Nonna Giulia is looking down from the heavens, proud of the family members that carry on the legacy of creating and sharing authentic Italian specialities.

Learn More About Porta Mangiare: Official Website

Purchase Porta Mangiare products at these and other fine retailers throughout the United States:

Alaska
Country Kitchen – Fairbanks, AK

Arizona
The Savory Pantry, Hot Springs, AR

California
Whole Foods, Southern California; Marbella Ranch Market, San Juan Capistrano, CA; Mollie Stone’s Grocery, San Mateo, CA; The Oakville Grocery, Napa, CA; Vallerga’s Market, Napa, CA; Mr. Marcel, Los Angeles, CA; Savor the Flavor, Sierra Madre, CA; Stephen Frank, Laguna Beach, CA; Stella Lucy’s, San Clemente, CA

Connecticut
La Bonne’s Markets – CT; The Pantry – Washington Depot, CT

Massachusets
Nantucket Foods, Cape Cod, MA

Michigan
The Galley Gourmet, Bay Harbor, MI

New Jersey
The Fancy Pantry- Vorhees, NJ; Sweet Heaven, Little Ferry, NJ

North Carolina
A Southern Season- Raleigh, NC; Charleston Sweet Gourmet – NC

Texas
Flavors from Afar, Dallas, TX; Sweet Gourmet, Tyler, TX

Editors Note:If you have always been intimidated by the prospect of making your own biscotti, rest assured that Porta Mangiare has come to the rescue with a newly introduced and outstanding product: Porta Mangiare Biscotti Mix. 

This event is hosted by Caesars Atlantic City and the Harrah’s Entertainment group of casinos. 

Mr. John Pente (1910 - 2010) May He Rest In Peace

Mr. John’s viewing will be at the Zannino Funeral Home (2pm-9pm), located at 263 South Conkling Street. The funeral mass will be held at 10am on Saturday at St. Leo the Great located at 227 South Exeter Street.

I had the pleasure of personally meeting Mr. John last year when we traveled to Baltimore to cover the Bocce tournament and The Feast of St. Leo’s. I almost walked past him, until I realized I was standing on the corner of South High Street facing the parking lot and building where the film screen is installed. I looked back and there he was sitting and enjoying the beautiful weather with his his daughter Marge, and his cute little dog, Gina (Lollobrigida). We spoke for a few minutes, pleasantries mostly. He was cheerful, polite and quite full of energy. I told him how great I thought it was (what he has done for the Little Italy community), and like a kid looking at a hero, how very pleased I was to meet him. He then allowed me to snap a photo before I continued my tour of his wonderful community. (I sit here with my eyes welling up and a lump in my throat - and I only had a fleeting moments with the man.) It was the highlight of my trip. God bless you Mr. John.

Chef Nick Stellino

It is with enormous pride that I want to share with you some very exciting news.

The Italian Trade Commission has bestowed upon me the 2010 Distinguished Service Award for all the years I have dedicated to the promotion and sale of authentic Italian Products within the United States, and for my committed work ethic which has elevated the appreciation of Italian Foods to new heights.

As I read these words over and over, I wonder “what was I thinking when at the age of 17 I left my native island of Sicily to come to America?” Did I ever imagine that my life and my career would ever provide me with such joyous moments? The answer is: “I had no idea!”

It would be easy for me to say that this is the least that I expected from myself for all I have done and achieved. The truth, however, is much more sobering, and it has nothing to do with me.

No man is an island, and no achievement is the sole product of one man’s single minded drive. It is always the result of the work and support of many people; teams of other men and women who unselfishly dedicated their own skills and artistic vision to the betterment of an ambitious enterprise. For me, it was the support of many friends and executives in some of America’s biggest companies, who believed in me, my dream, and my vision. They were most generous with their loyalty and their support; they made me who I am today.

At the age of 52, I believe that one day, I will become the man I thought I could be. I am proud to be an Italian American, and I am most humbled to be recognized in the company of many other great men and women who have been presented with this award over the years.

As I prepare to undertake the last few steps, in the making of my New TV series which will air nationally on PBS, next year, I remind myself that when it is all said and done, I am the son of Vincenzo and Massimiliana, who many years ago granted me permission to come to America. It was for them, a difficult and arduous task, something that changed their lives forever. But at the end, their selfless sacrifice gave me the opportunity to make something of myself in this beautiful country we call the United States of America.

In Sicily we have a saying: “Between saying it, and doing it… there is an ocean”. I always found this proverb to be a warning - more than an encouragement. Through my own American experience, I have coined a proverb of my own, which drives me through the undertaking of all my enterprises: “Between Saying it and Doing it there is an ocean… however, I have started to swim already. Life is all about passion!”

Thank you all for your friendship and support for all these years, I look forward to another lifetime together, full of great new adventures.

Keep Current with Chef Nick Stellino:
On Facebook
On His Official Website

Editor’s Note:Television Host/Chef Nick Stellino offers easy to follow instructions to preparing dishes from Italy and the Mediterranean region. The chef makes sizzling vegetables fall in love in the pan and tells stories on how the dishes serve as a bookmark for memorable moments. Turning a chore into a ritualistic feast for the senses, Cucina Amore makes Italian cooking entertaining and accessible. See you local TV or cable guide for episode listings and times.

Later this year, Chef Nick Stellino will be filming a new cooking series that will be aired exclusively on PBS.

Washington, D.C.
Cinema Italia: La Vera Leggenda di Tony Vilar

Chicago, IL
National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Hoboken, NJ
St. Ann’s Italian Feast

New York, NY
Next Food Network Star Finalist Serena Palumbo vs. Chef Tony Cacace at Bloomingdale’s

Delaware, OH
St. Mary’s Parish Festival

Columbus, OH
St. Margaret of Cortona Italian Festival

Wheeling, WV
Upper Ohio Italian Festival

Racine, WI
32nd Annual Roma Lodge Italian Festival

Details on all of these events can be found on the Abbondanza! Magazine Facebook Page (Events Calendar).

We wish you all a safe and fun weekend!

The Washington, DC Italian Language Meetup Group is organizing a monthly Italian film in partnership with Commissione Giovani DC (CG-DC) and Italians in DC (IDC). July’s film will be shown at Letelier Theater in Georgetown.

Titolo originale: La vera leggenda di Tony Vilar
Regia: Giuseppe Gagliardi
Anno di produzione: 2006
Durata: 95 minuti
Genere: Musical Mockumentary
Lingua: In Italian with English subtitles

THIS EVENT IS FOR ALL LEVELS OF ITALIAN - No need to speak Italian to attend.

Synopsis: Tony Vilar came from Southern Italy to Argentina as a child and became one of the most successful South American singers of the 1960’s. The first song for which he garnered worldwide acclaim was “Cuando calienta el sol”. At the height of his career Tony Vilar disappeared. The True Legend of Tony Vilar is the story of an Italian singer Peppe Voltarelli’s quest to find Tony Vilar, as he traces Tony’s steps from Italy to Buenos Aires and finally New York. The True Legend of Tony Vilar is a musical mockumentary, a road-movie in which we encounter many eccentric and unforgettable characters who lead us to uncover the mystery of Tony Vilar.

Sinossi: Tony Vilar è stato uno dei più popolari cantanti sudamericani del dopoguerra: arrivò in Argentina da bambino, nei primi anni Cinquanta. Nel decennio successivo, si affermò in America Latina come star italiana del melodico. Celebri le sue versioni in spagnolo di hit di successo in Italia, fu il primo che portò al successo mondiale “Cuando calienta el sol”. Un cantautore italiano di oggi, Peppe Voltarelli, decide di mettersi sulle sue tracce tra Buenos Aires e New York. “La Vera leggenda di Tony Vilar” è un mockumentary musicale, un road-movie sulle tracce degli italiani d’oltreoceano.

There will be beverages & popcorn to enjoy during the film. Dolci Gelati will provide gelati that we’ll enjoy at a reception after the film. Che delizioso!! Please feel free to bring your own bottle of wine (BYOB) to share with the group! Non scherzo!

Progetto per l’evento:

•4:00 pm Sign in, enjoy complimentary soft drinks and popcorn during the film.

•4:15 pm: Program begins with introductions and film (95 minutes)

•6:00 pm: A short discussion in the theater followed by a reception in the reception room and on the courtyard with a very enjoyable cup of gelato compliments of Dolci Gelati! You’re also welcome to bring your own food or drinks to enjoy yourself or share with others after the film!

•7:30 pm: Time to say “Arrivederci”

Prezzo:

•$8 online - via Meetup and Paypal. Advance ticket purchase is the only guarantee of a seat.

•$10 at the door (cash only, no credit/debit card processing)

Recensione:
http://www.film.it/articolo/la-vera-leggenda-di-tony-vilar

Getting to Letelier Theater:
http://leteliertheater.com/directions/

Photo Credit: Food Network Studios

[New York] On Saturday, July 24th, Chef Tony Cacace, the Culinary Manager at Bloomingdale’s NYC will be welcoming Next Food Network Star finalist, Serena Palumbo. During the event, they will each be assigned to a cooking area as they engage in a friendly cook-off that is sure to delight and entertain the audience.

And if you haven’t already done so today, make sure you cast your vote for Ms. Palumbo as your favorite Next Food Network Star finalist.

The Details

Date: Saturday, July 24th, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Venue: Bloomingdale’s New York - Lexington Ave & 59th Street

The Details

Dolciaria Fontana di Genisio Anna Maria
Via Ivrea n° 31
10034 Chivasso (TO) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0119102661
Official Website: http://www.nocciolinifontana.it/en/chisiamo.html

by Nancy S. Mure